A SOUTHAMPTON university student is baking banana bread and lemon sponge cake for 24 hours in the hope to raise awareness and funds for a men's mental health charity.

Jake Kleboe was part of his university's rugby team when he first started raising funds for Movember charity.

He started the baking challenge at 6 pm on Tuesday, 16 November. And spoke to Daily Echo while he was busy whisking the mixture of his 60th loaf, at 2 pm on Wednesday, 17 November.

A big fan of the Great British Bake Off, Mr Kleboe said: "While growing up, my mum used to bake a cake on my birthday every year. And eventually, I took it up as a hobby as well.

"This is my fifth year of raising money for the Movember group. So, I wanted to attempt something a bit bigger this year.

"The mental health foundation covers a wide range of support including men's mental health awareness and suicide prevention, as well as prostate cancer. I particularly support the mental health side, with the goal to open up the conversation between men and their friends and family."

Movember is a leading charity changing the face of men’s health. It aims to raise awareness about men's mental health, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Movember's purpose is to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives.

According to a 2014 NHS psychiatric study, one in every eight males has a mental health problem, and many find it difficult to seek help.

All of Jake's cakes will be given away for free on the University of Southampton campus in the hopes of raising awareness and encouraging people to donate to the charity.

To donate, visit: uk.movember.com/mospace/13373856?mc=1&utm_medium=share&utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=copy-clipboard